Hermes' inquiry instantly made the surrounding atmosphere awkward.
It must be said that Hermes showed no hostility and appeared like a friendly older brother next door. Anyone would instinctively let down their guard.
Roy answered decisively, "No."
Hermes looked astonished. This was the first time he had ever been directly refused by an adventurer.
Ryuu and Asfi were also surprised.
A subtle light flashed in Hermes' eyes as he looked at Roy. He suddenly realized that this was the best solution. One cannot lie in front of a God.
Rather than rambling and giving him something to exploit,
It was better to simply refuse.
This is a very clever youth with strong quick-wittedness, Hermes judged.
"Honestly, I was hoping to offer some advice…" Hermes slightly lowered his hat.
Asfi, beside him, was inwardly surprised. Lowering his hat was one of Lord Hermes' habits, signaling that he had encountered a troublesome person or matter.
This young man actually makes the resourceful Lord Hermes feel difficult to handle.
It was as if invisible blades clashed between the two, sparking bright flashes.
Hermes smiled. "You are here to ask Asfi to maintain a Magic Item, correct? What if my condition is to know what you plan to do next?"
Roy remained silent, simply looking toward the distant street, his meaning clear: Then I'll leave!
He was completely unyielding!
Hermes feigned helplessness. "Fine, Asfi, please help little brother Roy repair his Magic Item."
The four entered the manor.
Members of the Hermes Familia were bustling about, moving cargo, clearly busy.
The Hermes Familia was registered with the Guild as an Exploration Familia, but they were involved in commerce, courier services, intelligence, and other fields, and possessed a privilege other Familia lacked: free entry and exit from Orario.
Roy handed the Gale Boots he brought to Asfi.
The durability of this Magic Item had actually dropped below 10%. Roy hadn't used its special effect during the Goliath hunt, otherwise, his combat ability would have been even higher.
Magic Items far surpassed ordinary equipment in both rarity and utility.
Roy genuinely hated to discard the Gale Boots. Maintaining a Magic Item requires the Development Abilities "Mystery" or "Magic." This was why he sought out Asfi.
Asfi took the Gale Boots. After examining them closely, she looked surprised. "Mr. Roy, where did you obtain this Magic Item?"
Roy did not answer.
"My apologies, that was inappropriate."
Asfi realized her slip-up. Since this was someone else's request, she only needed to focus on her job. Knowing too much was not a good thing.
As a master crafter of Magic Items, she was simply delighted to see the Gale Boots.
Her "Talarion's Flying Shoes" granted the property of levitation, while these boots' property was speed enhancement.
The creator of these boots must have had a Development Ability no less advanced than hers. She felt regret that she couldn't find the creator to discuss and promote mutual improvement.
Asfi quickly entered her work state, maintaining the Gale Boots openly in the hall, unafraid of anyone trying to learn her technique.
The barrier to crafting Magic Items was simply too high. Less than five people in all of Orario could do it.
As Asfi peeled back the outer layers of the Gale Boots, the true nature of the boots was revealed.
Beneath the leather were countless magic stones, as tiny as strands of hair, of various shapes. The entire boot functioned like an incredibly precise machine.
Asfi focused on her work, holding two extremely thin long needles. She carefully picked out the exhausted Magic Stone fragments and replaced them with new ones.
A single mistake could render the Gale Boots useless. She had to dedicate her full attention to the task.
Roy had originally intended to secretly learn a few tricks so he could maintain his Magic Items himself in the future, but seeing this scene, he immediately gave up.
He recalled advanced mathematics from college. There's a good saying: Life may betray you, lovers may betray you, but mathematics will not…
Looking at the focused and earnest Asfi, Roy felt a pang of desire. He wanted to snatch this useful tool away, but Hermes would absolutely never allow it.
After introducing Roy to Hermes and Asfi, Ryuu had already left to pick up Goddess Astrea from the Babel Tower and prepare dinner for the evening.
Roy and Hermes watched Asfi work, chatting intermittently.
About two hours passed.
"It's done."
Asfi placed the repaired Gale Boots on the table, a hint of fatigue showing on her beautiful face.
[Gale Boots: Durability 96%!]
Roy saw the pop-up notification panel. The skill of the "Perseus" was truly renowned.
"What is the maintenance fee?"
"500,000 Valis."
"Alright."
Roy didn't haggle. Asfi's price was a friend's discount, considering Ryuu. After all, this was a unique specialty in all of Orario.
"Goodbye, Lord Hermes, Perseus!" Roy placed 500,000 Valis on the table, thanked them again, and left with the Gale Boots.
Watching Roy's retreating figure, Asfi asked, "Lord Hermes, you seem very interested in him."
Hermes wore his usual smile. "Asfi, if you owed someone 60 million Valis, what is the fastest way to pay off the debt?"
Asfi answered without hesitation, "Sell Magic Items!"
Hermes nearly choked on his own saliva. He had almost forgotten that his Asfi was a rare genius whose Magic Items easily sold for tens of millions.
"Asfi, why do you think little brother Roy decided to announce his profile at this particular moment?"
Although not as mentally agile as Hermes, Asfi was also intelligent. With Hermes' prompting, she quickly realized something.
"Could it be!"
To repay the debt, the fastest way to make money was—robbery! If so, his target must be another Familia…
Hermes' elegant face showed the pleasure a God takes in mortal entertainment. He seemed to have guessed which unfortunate soul little brother Roy had set his sights on.
But he would do nothing.
…
As Roy left the Hermes Familia manor and neared the Star Garden, he happened to see a girl with reddish-brown short hair—Daphne.
Daphne quickly glanced left and right, confirming she wasn't being watched. Her expression was anxious as she said, "Mr. Roy, run away quickly! Lord Apollo has his eyes on you!"
Roy had previously helped her ward off the Apollo Familia's pursuit. Knowing that Lord Apollo was targeting Roy, Daphne didn't want her benefactor to suffer the same fate.
But the next moment, Daphne saw no fear on Roy's face. Instead, a hint of excitement appeared.
"You've come at the perfect time. I need your cooperation!"
Roy looked at Daphne. Even if she hadn't come, he would have specifically sought her out.